An Assessment of the Factors Causing Dysfunctional Marriages among Families in Budalang’i Constituency, Busia County

Abstract

The study examined the factors for dysfunctional marriages among families in Budalang’i Constituency, Busia County. The study had five specific objectives which were: to assess the influence of socio-economic factors on marriage dysfunctions; to assess influence of psychological factors on marriage dysfunctions; to assess influence of cultural factors on marriage dysfunctions, to assess influence of religious factors on marriage dysfunctions and to establish the best practices or strategies for pastoral counselling in addressing dysfunctional marriages among families in Budalang’i Constituency, Busia District. The study adopted Bowen Family Systems Theory and Family Stress Theory. The research employed a descriptive research design. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were adopted to select respondents. The study targeted a sample of 99 participants from a population of 15,245 households. Semi-structured interview questionnaires were used to get responses from household heads. Collected data was analysed using SPSS 20.0 and Ms Excel to provide tables, bars and charts. The findings of the study were that financial challenges and infidelity were the common socio-economic factors for dysfunctional marriages in Budalang’i Constituency, Busia County. Depression, fearfulness, loneliness, physiological and emotional drain, feeling of being shunned and unaccepted and physical and emotional insecurity were the most common psychological factors for dysfunctional marriages in Budalang’i Constituency. Holding onto cultural beliefs, polygamy, casual sex and performing of rituals were the cultural issues that were found to affect most marriages in Budalang’i Constituency, Busia County as well. Consequently, support of polygamy, too much religious activities e.g. overnight prayers, dress code; and too much commitment to church than family were common problem associated with conflict and dysfunctional marriages. The other finding was that the Church was better placed in putting in place marital counseling programmes and pastoral care that could address the challenges associated with dysfunctional marriages. This is because most of the residents of Budalang’i Constituency are Christians who goes to Church regularly. The study concluded that socio-economic and psychological factors such as lack of adequate finances and poor spouse treatment as well as lack of effective communication contributed a great deal to dysfunctional marriages in Budalang’i Constituency, Busia County. The study recommends that the Government allocates enough education funds and that economic empowerment programmes be put in place to help improve the families’ education and economic status. The study also recommends that conflict resolution measures be put in place by the local administration to help address the issues related to dysfunctional marriages in Budalang’i Constituency, Busia County. The study further recommends that the Church should take a leading role in organizing family counseling programmes that will provide both guidance and counseling sessions for families that have been affected in Budalang’i Constituency, Busia County.